The Nerehet Sandsea

Such a landscape should not be possible, but here it is. A sea of sand shifting identically to water. I suspect some lingering wild magic continues to work here.

— Phidi Strideheart, Traveler

Overview

The Nerehet is the only sandsea in Awldor, and it is massive. Within the bowl of the Oniruuru Desert lies this strange, liquid-like deposit of sand. Many scholars believe this strange landscape us fueled by remnant wild magics and that someday it will be a regular pit of sand. Journals written during Captain Amaya Quickwind's expedition indicate that the local peoples of Deshret also believe that wild magic is at work.
The Nerehet Sandsea is a formidable obstacle to anyone attempting to reach the Avon'Col, or to just cross it. Locals of the Oniruuru have developed ships capable of sailing the sandy waves without deteriorating too quickly. Such ships are rare given the lack of wood in the vast expanse of desert surrounding the Nerehet. Those who do own such ships must guard them. There are plenty of people in the desert who regard the ships and the mobility they grant with envy.

Grabbing rocks with ropes sounds crazy and strange, and it is. But it is also fun!

— Gabir Jozigan, Sandsea Sailor

Boulder Lasso

A common sport among sand sailors, boulder lasso involves the chasing and capture of large boulders floating upon the sandsea's surface. The larger the boulder, the more points one earns. Competition to capture the largest or the greatest number of boulders can happen spontaneously between two vessels. A high stakes boulder lasso competition occurs every year between Oniruuru Desert's nomadic tribes. The winner takes a generous prize pool funded by contributions from all competitors- the contributions are required to be officially entered.

Geography

Sand for miles around, and it does not lie still. It shifts in the same ebbs and flows as any other sea, and that includes having times of high tide and times of low tide. The monotony of sand is occasionally broken by the sight of floating rocks, boulders, and islands. In fact, there exists a ring of floating islands that slowly travel around The Avon'Col. The existence of these islands pose a navigational hazard for any daring sand-sailor as their positions are always changing. Any map of the sandy sea is outdated as soon as it is made.

The Temaşe Belt

Like the seas of water elsewhere, the Nerehet has floating islands of its own. Some of these islands are resistant to the constant abrasive grinding of the shifting sands. Other islands are not and thus are noticeably smaller with each passing year. All floating islands proceed across the sandsea around the Avon'Col in a counter clockwise direction. This belt of moving islands and boulders and rocks is known as the Temaşe Belt.

Fauna & Flora

The Sandsea hosts life uniquely suited to its environment. From sand-fish to sand-whales. The fauna of the sandsea have hardened exoskeletons designed as protection from the constant abrasive onslaught of sand. The appearance of this exoskeleton is that of a remarkably polished and smooth-surfaced.

Natural Resources

• Sand
• Mineral Nuggets
• Various kinds of rocks

All artwork is by starfarertheta unless otherwise noted.

Alternative Name(s)

Nerehet Sands

Type

Inland Sea

Location under

Deshret Continent

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Common Flora

• Sandsea Kelp
• Sandsea Lillies

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Common Fauna

• Sandsea Whales
• Sandsea Sharks
• Sandsea Manta Rays
• Sandsea Striders
• Sandsea Worms
• Vultures

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Typical Magic Fields

• Igni
• Shocking
• Aero

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Note(s) from the Archivists:

The information we have from Amaya's expedition concerning the Sandsea reveals an interesting piece of folklore about the sea. It is said that if the Avon'Col awakens, the first sign is that of the Sandsea boiling. - Archivist Taenya
That would be an unsettling sight, to say the least. Could one even travel such a sea? - Archivist Theta
Of course you can! Whether you'll keep your skin is another matter though. - Archivist Savitri
I guess it's a good thing that I don't plan to sleep tonight. - Archivist Enna